The mridangam (Sanskrit: मृदंग , Telugu: మృదంగం, Tamil: மிரà¯à®¤à®™à¯à®•à®®à¯, Kannada: :ಮೃದಂಗ, Malayalam: മൃദംഗം) is a percussion instrument from India, especially South India. It is the primary rhythmic accompaniment in a Carnatic music ensemble. Alternate spellings include "mridanga", "mrudangam", "mrdangam", "mrithangam", "miruthangam", and "mirudhangam".